Alert and very attentive: These are two of the outstanding characteristics of the Schipperke. The Belgian watchdog experienced a boom at the end of the 19th century in Belgium and the Netherlands. There, it primarily served as a guardian of houses and shops. It remains an attentive watchdog to this day. But it is also affectionate and requires a lot of closeness. We took a closer look at the “little shepherd dog.”

History of the Schipperke

Although its genetic origin is not fully clarified, the Schipperke has been known in Belgium and the Netherlands since the Middle Ages. “Schipperke” is a word from Flemish, the origin of the dog, meaning “little shepherd dog.” Merchants and craftsmen especially valued the alert herding dog. In the major trade cities of the region such as Brussels and Antwerp, the Schipperke was primarily used as a watchdog.

Its ancestor is the Leuvenaar. Hence, its relationship with the Belgian Shepherd. The Schipperke became famous when the then Queen of Belgium, Marie Henriette, acquired a Schipperke at an exhibition in the Belgian capital. That was in 1985 and practically the starting point for breeding the dog. Just three years later, in 1888, a breed club was founded, and the standards for the breed of the same name were established.

After that, the breed spread quickly, and the Schipperke was a very popular dog. However, the breed almost died out after the end of the Second World War. The breed was recognized by the FCI in 1954. Today, the Schipperke is enjoying growing popularity.

Nature and Character

As a classic watchdog, Schipperke dogs are very lively and always on the move. The small shepherd dog from Belgium is also enduring and performance-oriented. The willingness to learn and curiosity are also striking. If you entrust a Schipperke with something to supervise, whether it’s a territory, people, or objects, you can be sure that the watchdog will guard and defend it stubbornly and passionately.

If he notices something unusual, he likes to bark with a loud, bright voice. He is also persistent in this regard. However, you can train him not to bark excessively. He is initially reserved towards strangers. However, he loves his own “pack” faithfully and loyally. The small shepherd dog is a passionate mouse and rat catcher.

Affection Level	Medium
Friendliness	Medium
Kid-Friendly	Medium
Pet-Friendly	Medium
Exercise Needs	Medium
Playfulness	High
Energy Level	High
Trainability	Medium
Intelligence	High
Tendency to Bark	High
Amount of Shedding	Medium

Acquisition of a Schipperke

If you are considering buying a Schipperke dog now, you should consider that this very agile dog requires active people. He also needs close family ties. You should be able to meet these basic requirements. Schipperke dogs, by the way, do not require any special nutrition. If you want to buy a Schipperke, you should get in touch with a breeder. More on this in the next paragraph.

What should I look out for when buying?

An advantage of the rather limited distribution of the little black devil, as the Schipperke is sometimes called, is that this breed is not overbred. The only exception is taillessness. You should not buy puppies without a tail. A reputable breeder would not offer you such an animal either. Health problems or behavioral abnormalities are rather rare. Nevertheless, when buying a Schipperke puppy, you should carefully select not only the dog but also the breeder. It is best to get an overview of certified breeders from the breed club.

It is advisable to meet the puppies at least once, preferably twice. Also, have the breeder show you the breeding site. Ideally, the breeder remains a suitable contact person for you even after the purchase.

Development and Training of the Puppy

Schipperke puppies are wonderfully trainable and typically develop unproblematically and quickly. With this breed, the earlier you show the dog what is wanted and desired from it, the quicker it will learn. This also applies to setting boundaries, which are particularly important for such an active dog. On the other hand, unwanted behavior can only be unlearned with a lot of patience and persistence. Training should therefore begin in the puppy stage.

The Schipperke puppy is curious and therefore a very grateful student. It has a quick grasp of things. In addition to persistence, consistency is required. With this foundation, the purebred dog quickly becomes a loyal companion for the whole family.

How do I care for a Schipperke?

Aside from sporting activities, the Schipperke breed hardly has any demands regarding its care. The watchdog and also rat and mouse hunter can be content with little space. Therefore, the purebred dog can also be kept in an apartment. However, outside of the apartment, the dog needs a lot of exercise and activities. Additionally, the loud barking of the dog can be problematic for the neighborhood.

Activities with the Schipperke

The Schipperke is easily trainable. Additionally, the dog is receptive to learning tricks and loves fetching. The breed is considered intelligent and attentive, making it suitable for training as a search and rescue dog. As mentioned earlier, the lively breed makes an excellent watchdog.

The four-legged friend particularly enjoys outdoor exercise, and any terrain suits it equally well. It enjoys jumping over tree stumps and roots as much as swimming in the lake.

Health and Grooming

The Schipperke is characterized by robust health. There are hardly any breed-specific diseases. However, you should always pay attention to the correct weight with this dog. Because the breed often tends towards overweight, not least because the small shepherd dog likes to eat a lot. Due to their small size, their appetite becomes noticeable quickly. For an adult dog, two meals a day are completely sufficient. Ideally, about 60 percent meat, 30 percent vegetables, and 10 percent rice. The exact composition of the food depends on various factors such as age, size, weight, activity, and health. Your veterinarian can advise you on this.

Interesting and Worth Knowing

The breed is made to bring excitement into your life. The small black shepherd dog from Belgium is an extremely agile watchdog and very strong-willed. It is very loyal and defends its family. The curious dog is intelligent and attentive.

Do you already have a Schipperke or are you planning to get one soon? Feel free to tell us more about it in the comments!